The Cape Codder: Letters to the Editor

Friday

Dec 8, 2017 at 3:01 AM

Letters policy

Letters must include the writer's name, daytime phone number (for the editor's contact purposes only) and address, and be no more than 300 words in length; letters without the required information will not be accepted, and those longer than the maximum allowed will be edited for length or not accepted. Letters that address local issues always get priority. Letter writers should not expect to have more than one letter published within a 30-day period. All letters are subject to editing. Deadline for submissions is 2 p.m. Tuesday. To submit, e-mail managing editor Donna Tunney at dtunney@wickedlocal.com

REWARD INSTEAD

Re: news article "Seashore entry fees could rise," Dec. 1. The National Park Service has six videos on its web site about climate change's effect on our national parks and what they are doing to slow the process.

How about encouraging visitors to walk or bike into the parks and not use their greenhouse-gas-producing cars by not raising their entry fee, but removing the fee. Perhaps even a small prize could be awarded to walkers and bikers for their clean and healthy mode of transportation.

I have been a volunteer at the Salt Pond Visitor Center for the past 10 years and am embarrassed by this entry fee increase for walkers and bikers and will be hard put to explain it to visitors.

Jack Shine Orleans

ON GROPERS

If asked how I would handle the "gropers" cases, I would say, "Let's first jail them, and then we can look into what they did."

Sam Sherman Eastham

NO ROTARY

The Mass DOT is proposing to replace the traffic lights at the intersection of Route 6 and Main Street in Wellfleet with a roundabout.

Just what Route 6 in Wellfleet needs - an erratic, vehicular merry-go-round resulting in an idling, constipated traffic flow. What a horror show.

As some town officials have stated, during emergency situations, especially in the summertime, chances are that ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers would be stuck in gridlocked traffic, since there would be no way to bypass the roundabout. Good luck to tractor trailers, buses and vehicles towing whatever, headed east, trying to maneuver around it in order to access Main Street. Turning left up and over it wouldn't be an option.

If the proposed roundabout is constructed, to help the summer visitors navigate it this sign should be posted on both sides of Route 6 just before it: "When it looks OK, just floor it."

That seems to be the mindset of many navigating the Orleans roundabout these days. Scary.

Mike Rice Wellfleet

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Thanks to all the folks who put up the holiday swags on street signs in Brewster. I appreciate your generosity and community spirit!

Lacking her own facts to dispute the injustice of working Massachusetts families being burdened by generous illegal alien state benefits, including free healthcare, she dismisses the source as bigoted. This is the same condescending liberal attitude that lead to President Trump's election victory last year.

Moderate voters are fed up with liberal activists putting their ideology above the law, and then expecting the rest of us to pay for it. The 2016 election was an important first step in taking our country back.

Ronald Beaty Barnstable County commissioner

THE DARK SIDE

The holiday season is a time when families tend to gather. Unfortunately for many Cape Codders, it is not a time for celebration. Studies show that domestic violence can increase between mid-December and mid-January.

For many victims of domestic abuse/violence, the holidays are like every other day: a time of struggle and survival.

Victims do their best every day as they walk on egg shells in an attempt to avoid angering their abusers. They feel no choice but to keep the family together, especially when children are involved.

An abuser may use this time for even more control, refusing money for gifts, preventing partners from attending gatherings.

All these organizations will keep your confidence. If there is immediate danger call 911.

Mass Appeal is asking for the citizens of the Outer Cape to please donate new toys and gifts to be distributed to families in need. Please do not wrap gifts. Donations may be dropped off on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Cove Corner, Wellfleet.

If you suspect a family is being abused, check on them and try to maintain lines of communication. Patience and compassion can help make their holiday a little lighter.

Shirley Smith Chairman

Outer Cape Committee against Domestic Abuse

IT'S FIVE-STAR

On Dec. 4, the trustees, Friends, and staff of the Truro Public Library learned that the library was awarded five stars by the 2017 LJ Index of Public Library Service.

After two years achieving a four-star designation, the library now joins the Outer Cape libraries in Provincetown and Wellfleet as five-stars.

Nationwide in 2017, 259 public libraries were awarded three, four, or five–Star designations; of 12 “star” libraries in Massachusetts, 10 are on Cape Cod.

Library Journal’s LJ Index of Public Library Service has produced its edition “Star Library Ratings” for 10 years. From 2009 to 2015, it relied on four measures—circulation, library visits, program attendance, and public Internet computer use—to award stars, and in 2016, circulation of electronic materials became a fifth statistic.

Wellfleet Publlic Library, received an additional reward for earning a five-star rating for 10 years in a row—they are an All-Time, All Star Library.

We thank our community, permanent and part-time, for its enthusiastic use of the Truro Public Library, making us an important and thriving local resource.

Galen Malicoat Outreach coordinator Truro Public Library

A BIG THANK YOU

On behalf of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce I would like to thank everyone for their support in making the Pancake Breakfast with Mrs. Claus and the Santa Stampede an overwhelming success.

Christmas events in Orleans continue right through the New Year, take a look at orleanscapecod.org to see all of the holiday events planned throughout town and make your itinerary.

Special thanks the Orleans Yacht Club, The Hole-In-One Restaurant, The Orleans Branch of Cape Cod Five, Mrs. Claus, and Santa Claus for providing us the services needed to create another memorable Pancake Breakfast.

Thank you to Matty Dread of WOMR/WFMR for keeping the party going and providing the tunes at the Santa Stampede.

Special thanks to Janet Kelly for organizing the kids race. Thank you to all the members who gave prizes for the runners.

Thank you to the Orleans Police Department and Orleans Fire and Rescue for supporting the chamber in this venture.

Noelle Pina Executive director Orleans Chamber of Commerce

EASTHAM ELVES

The Eastham Holiday Festival & Toy Drive is a special tradition for so many local children in a community committed to providing a strong sense of belonging to every resident.

Businesses and residents gave generously so that with plenty of hype we were able to provide musical entertainment, craft workshops, gifts and a bounty of delicious sweets and goodies to more than 300 very happy, boys and girls.

For all of that, I send a special thank you to all that contributed to a successful event.

To the Gift Barn for co-sponsoring all of the attractions. To Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Red Barn Pizza, Sam’s Deli, and Stop & Shop for a bounty of delicious sweets and goodies.

To COLEwebdev for organizing such a fantastic selection of craft workshops.

And to that special elf with the gold bow and a heart to match, who would like nothing more than for every day to be Christmas, thank you, Patti Brown, for bringing the spirit of Santa to us all.

Happy holidays to all.

Jim Russo Executive director Eastham Chamber of Commerce

CHAPEL GRATEFUL

Members of the Nauset Fellowship of the Chapel in the Pines, home of the First Encounter Coffee House, want to thank the many artists, musicians, merchants and groups who are contributing to two art auctions, one live, one silent and online, to restore Eastham’s historic Chapel in the Pines.

We also thank all who made our pre auction reception Dec. 2 at the Eastham Library such a success.

The talented contributing artists of the Outer Cape have donated beautiful samples of their work (see them at nfuu.org).

The silent auction items will be left up on exhibit and for bidding at the library until Dec. 16. Some special works and art experiences will be auctioned live at the gala event starting at 6 p.m. The main event will be preceded with a wine and catered reception next door at the Chapel in the Pines, also Dec. 16, at 4:30 p.m.